Eleven MLS clubs changed their head coach in 2023, split across eight Eastern Conference clubs and three Western Conference clubs.
This tracker, sorted in chronological order (of dismissal), includes all changes in the buildup to 2024.
- Departing coach: Hernán Losada (Nov. 9)
- Interim coach: N/A
- Incoming coach: Laurent Courtois (Jan. 8)
After narrowly missing the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, CF Montréal parted ways with head coach Hernán Losada.
Losada spent one season in charge of CFMTL, finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference standings (41 points; 12W-17L-5D). The Argentine lasted just over 10 months in Montréal, arriving shortly after Wilfried Nancy left to join MLS Cup 2023 champions Columbus Crew in what was essentially a coach trade (Montréal were compensated).
Next up for Montréal? Laurent Courtois, who spent 2022-23 leading Columbus Crew 2 in MLS NEXT Pro, including to the inaugural league title. The Frenchman is a former MLS midfielder.
- Departing coach: Christian Lattanzio (Nov. 8)
- Interim coach: N/A
- Incoming coach: Dean Smith (Dec. 12)
Charlotte FC parted ways with Christian Lattanzio in early November, announcing the Italian manager's exit despite qualifying for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in 2023.
Lattanzio, who replaced Miguel Ángel Ramírez midway through the club's inaugural 2022 season, compiled a 24W-24L-15D record during his year-and-a-half in charge.
Just over a month later, Charlotte appointed Dean Smith as their third head coach in as many years. The Englishman recently led Norwich City and Leicester City, but is most renowned for guiding Aston Villa back to the Premier League in 2019.
- Departing coach: Wayne Rooney (Oct. 7)
- Interim coach: N/A
- Incoming coach: Troy Lesesne (Jan. 10)
D.C. United and head coach Wayne Rooney mutually parted ways immediately after being eliminated from Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs contention.
Rooney originally joined the Black-and-Red in July 2022, returning to the club he played for from 2018-19. The Manchester United and England national team legend then managed Birmingham City in the EFL Championship for a brief spell.
D.C. United ultimately hired former New York Red Bulls head coach Troy Lesesne following a winter search led by new general manager and CSO Ally Mackay. Last year, Lesesne guided RBNY to a 15W-13L-9D record across all competitions after taking over for Gerhard Struber in May.
- Departing coach: Adrian Heath (Oct. 6)
- Interim coach: Cameron Knowles
- Incoming coach: TBA
Minnesota United FC parted ways with longtime head coach Adrian Heath after a lopsided, late-season defeat at LAFC. The decision marked a big shift for Minnesota, as Heath was their only manager since joining MLS in 2017.
Following Heath's exit, the Loons fell just short of the playoffs under interim coach Sean McAuley. They finished 11th in the Western Conference standings (41 points; 10W-13L-11D).
Now, Minnesota are on their second interim coach of the offseason after McAuley departed the club in early January to pursue other opportunities. With a more expansive search underway, Cameron Knowles has stepped in after leading Minnesota's MLS NEXT Pro team from 2022-23.
- Departing coach: Bruce Arena (Sept. 9)
- Interim coach: Clint Peay
- Incoming coach: Caleb Porter (Dec. 19)
Bruce Arena resigned as New England Revolution head coach and sporting director after Matchday 31. The decision followed how the all-time winningest coach in league history was placed on administrative leave pending a review into allegations he made insensitive and inappropriate remarks.
The Revs, who made the postseason as the Eastern Conference's No. 5 seed, were bounced in Round One. In the buildup, they were temporarily led by interim head coach Richie Williams (part of Arena's staff) before Clint Peay was elevated from MLS NEXT Pro side Revolution II to first-team interim coach.
Less than a month after taking over as sporting director, Curt Onalfo appointed Caleb Porter as the club's new head coach ahead of the 2024 season. Porter joins New England as a two-time MLS Cup winner, previously steering the Portland Timbers (2015) and Columbus Crew (2020) to league titles.
- Departing coach: Robin Fraser (Sept. 5)
- Interim coach: Chris Little
- Incoming coach: Chris Armas (Nov. 17)
Coming off Matchday 30, the Rapids parted ways with head coach Robin Fraser – ending four years for him in Colorado.
Chris Little, an assistant on Fraser’s staff, was named interim head coach until the club appointed a permanent successor. Colorado ultimately finished bottom of the Western Conference table and missed the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for a second straight year.
For the permanent role, the Rapids turned to an MLS veteran. Chris Armas, who previously led the New York Red Bulls (2018-20) and Toronto FC (2021), was appointed in mid-November.
- Departing coach: Giovanni Savarese (Aug. 21)
- Interim coach: Miles Joseph
- Incoming coach: Phil Neville (Nov. 6)
The Portland Timbers parted ways with head coach Giovanni Savarese after Matchday 27 and installed assistant coach Miles Joseph as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Savarese had led the Timbers since the 2018 MLS season, compiling a 74W-62L-47D record in five-plus years at the helm. His tenure was highlighted by two MLS Cup appearances (2018, '21), as well as the MLS is Back Tournament title in 2020.
After Portland missed the playoffs on Decision Day, they eventually hired ex-Inter Miami CF manager Phil Neville. He's under contract through 2026.
- Departing coach: Bob Bradley (June 26)
- Interim coach: Terry Dunfield
- Incoming coach: John Herdman (Aug. 28)
Toronto FC parted ways with head coach and sporting director Bob Bradley after Matchday 21, hitting reset on their project that began when the US coaching legend joined ahead of the 2022 campaign. Bradley assembled a 14W-26L-19D record at the club and couldn't reclaim the Reds' glory days while revamping their roster, a strategy spearheaded by acquiring Italian national team forwards Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi as Designated Players two summers ago.
Former MLS midfielder Terry Dunfield was appointed interim head coach after leading the club’s U-17 academy team, hoping to salvage 2023. Then, effective Oct. 1, Toronto appointed John Herdman after he left the Canadian men's national team. Neither could prevent a Wooden Spoon (last place) finish.
With Bradley holding dual responsibilities at TFC, the club also promoted longtime MLS defender Jason Hernandez from assistant general manager to general manager in a reshuffling of their front office.
- Departing coach: Phil Neville (June 1)
- Interim coach: Javier Morales
- Incoming coach: Tata Martino (June 28)
Inter Miami CF parted ways with head coach Phil Neville after Matchday 16, all as the club sat last (15th place) in the Eastern Conference table. Neville originally joined Miami ahead of the 2021 campaign, their second-ever MLS season, and reached the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2022.
Javier Morales, a legendary MLS No. 10 during his Real Salt Lake days, took over Inter Miami on an interim basis after being an assistant on Neville's staff and working with their academy teams.
Miami formally hired Neville's replacement four weeks later, naming ex-Atlanta United boss Gerardo “Tata” Martino their new head coach. The Argentine, who reunited with Lionel Messi from their FC Barcelona and Argentina days, was available after leading Mexico at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Herons ultimately won Leagues Cup and made the US Open Cup final, but couldn't ascend the standings into a playoff spot.
- Departing coach: Ezra Hendrickson (May 8)
- Interim coach: N/A
- Incoming coach: Frank Klopas (Dec. 5)
What's old is new at Chicago, who have brought back Frank Klopas as head coach. Klopas saw out the remainder of the Fire's 2023 campaign following Ezra Hendrickson’s departure in early May.
Chicago remain chasing their first Audi MLS Cup Playoffs trip since 2017. They finished this past season with 40 points (10W-14L-10D), slotting 13th in the Eastern Conference table.
Beyond this coach hire, the Fire also plan on acquiring a DP striker this offseason. Any newcomers would supplement a core that includes club-record signing Xherdan Shaqiri and homegrown stars like midfielder Brian Gutiérrez and goalkeeper Chris Brady.
- Departing coach: Gerhard Struber (May 8); Troy Lesesne (Nov. 14)
- Interim coach: N/A
- Incoming coach: Sandro Schwarz (Dec. 14)
The New York Red Bulls have a fresh face on the sidelines, announcing Sandro Schwarz as their head coach for a new era. The German native arrives after a managerial career highlighted by time at Bundesliga sides FSV Mainz 05 and Hertha Berlin, as well as Russian Premier League club Dynamo Moscow.
This all follows how RBNY opted not to renew Troy Lesene's contract for the 2024 MLS season. Lesesne took over from Gerhard Struber in May and guided the club as they reached the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for a record 14th straight season.
